Giant gumball machine, St. Louis Cardinals maze – this farm has it all

Monday

Sep 24, 2007 at 12:01 AMSep 24, 2007 at 3:06 AM

There’s a family adventure not far from Lake of the Ozarks at a working farm, where visitors can wander through a corn maze, pick up a few pumpkins for fall decorating or just sit and visit.

Joyce L. Miller

There’s a family adventure not far from Lake of the Ozarks at a working farm, where visitors can wander through a corn maze, pick up a few pumpkins for fall decorating or just sit and visit.

The Shryock family has been farming in northern Callaway County since 1889. The fourth and fifth generations work the land as Shryock Farms. The current crops are corn, soybeans and wheat.
In 2002, the Shryocks began inviting visitors to the farm to explore the corn maze, take a hayride or just enjoy being in the country.

There are fun activities at Shryocks Callaway Farms. The life-sized corn maze is an adventure for all ages. If tromping through a maze doesn’t sound like fun, there are hayrides and pumpkins galore.

Debbie Shryock said more than 15,000 visitors came through the farm last year. And they came from all over -- even people from other countries made their way the farm near Columbia, Mo.

“It’s definitely a fun way to spend the day,” she said. “We meet all kinds of people.”

This year the renowned corn maze is a tribute to the 2006 World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals. From the sky looking down on the maze, the team’s namesake is easily recognizable perched on a bat with the St. Louis Arch in the background. It resembles a puzzle.

The hayrides are also a popular attraction. Groups with reservations can enjoy an old-time hayride and roaring campfire. The tractor-drawn hayride wanders through the fields and along the quiet streams of the working farm. End the hayride by roasting hot dogs and enjoying s mores at a beckoning campfire.

Shryocks’ Big Red Barn has become a familiar landmark to visitors in the Midwest. Its unique design features dormer windows, a big front porch and a traditional red-and-green color scheme are definitely an eye-catcher on the prairie in northern Callaway County.

The barn, built in 1999, is the headquarters for Shryock Brothers Farms and is home to all the activities available to visitors.

The interior of the barn is finished with yellow pine from southern Missouri. The three-story air-conditioned structure is a great place to relax after a trip through the corn maze or hayride around the farm.

One of the farm’s most talked about attractions is inside the barn.

An unbelievable three-story gumball coaster occupies the front wall and rafters of the barn.

Visitors watch in amazement as their gumball travels up to the peak of the barn and then down a series of tracks to reach the bottom.

The Shryocks do ask visitors to remember that no alcoholic beverages are allowed on the farm. All smoking is prohibited in the barn, in the maze and while on the hayride. Individuals acting in an unsafe manner or with excessive rowdiness will be required to leave the premises.

To make reservations for hayrides and campfires, call 573-592-0191, e-mail the Shryocks at mshryock@ktis.net or visit the Web site at www.callawayfarms.com.

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